Here's the map of the fire as at 9am. There's that one long finger poking up to the North-west across the Cave of Hands area into the pine forest. That's going to be a real bugger when the wind swings back to the south-west.
Further south it's shown as stopping about the top of the range but I would expect it to have advanced a lot this morning. The smoke plume that was covering horsham yesterday this morning was blowing out west of Natimuk.
Summary : not good.

On 20/02/2013 kieranl wrote:>Here's the map of the fire as at 9am. There's that one long finger poking>up to the North-west across the Cave of Hands area into the pine forest.>That's going to be a real bugger when the wind swings back to the south-west.>Further south it's shown as stopping about the top of the range but I>would expect it to have advanced a lot this morning. The smoke plume that>was covering horsham yesterday this morning was blowing out west of Natimuk.>Summary : not good.>>*edit* No rain forecast for next 7 days, just a shower or two.>>http://osom.cfa.vic.gov.au/public/osom/attachments/1331421716/Victoria%20Valley%20Complex>209am%20Wed.pdf
Great work with the regular updating Kieran. As you noted - not looking good.

"A northerly wind change, coupled with 33 degree heat, expected on Thursday is expected to fan the inferno towards the farming communities of Woohlpooer, Glenisla and Mooralla, which are all located along the Henty Highway, south-west of the Grampians."

Serious now. You did well to get one, as some of the feedback regarding fires up this way, was that the sms warning system was quite hit and miss in it's effectiveness, and this irrespective of whether the mobile reception was good/poor/nonexistent!
~> I hope your experience is indicative of an improved system generally.

>Serious now. You did well to get one, as some of the feedback regarding>fires up this way, was that the sms warning system was quite hit and miss>in it's effectiveness, and this irrespective of whether the mobile reception>was good/poor/nonexistent!>~> I hope your experience is indicative of an improved system ge.
nerally.
Pretty much got a spray wide up here towers few and far between. I guess they prefer a few irrelevant warnings rather than miss a few citizens who then become toast

Yep they work fine Fizz for people on farcebook. Very impressive.
Sadly it looks like none of the range north of Chimney-Pot gap has escaped. Hopefully there'll be patches that escape. It looks like some of the steep valleys down the southern end might have avoided the worst, with the fire tracking down the ridges. Just have to wait and see.
Couldn't believe yesterday afternoon hearing that there were fisherdudes camped at Hynes campground calling CFA for advice. Had these guys just been too busy sinking tinnies for the last few days to see what was blowing towards them?

Just got back from the Grampians yesterday. I wont speculate on what has and what hasn't been burnt but fair to say a lot of climbing areas will be affected. Photos below of the Chimney Pots and the Gilhams area.

Henty Highway (A200): Traffic Alert Fire
Road has now been reopened Speed restriction in place over 400mts near Mooralla Golf Club and over 6kms at Glenisla, this is due to Emergency Services Vehicles operating in the area.Drivers are advised to drive carefully through these areas.
Started: 20/02/2013 6:11pm
Updated at: 25/02/2013 6:56am